Although Button has an option with McLaren for the 2018 season, he said on Thursday he does not expect to race again. Brazilian Felipe Massa, who drives for Williams, is categorically retiring after this race.

Both started their F1 careers at age 20.

Meanwhile, French driver Romain Grosjean's frustrating recent form continued as he came back to the garage before the end because of a braking issue on his Haas car.